Now therefore, I pray thee, let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If the LORD have stirred thee up against me, let him accept an offering: but if they be the children of men, cursed be they before the LORD; for they have driven me out this day from abiding in the inheritance of the LORD, saying, Go, serve other gods.
So please, my lord the king, listen to what your servant has to say. If the LORD has turned you against me, then let him accept an offering to make peace. But if it's other people who have done this, may they be cursed by the LORD! They have forced me away from my home today, away from the land that belongs to the LORD, essentially telling me, 'Go and worship other gods.'
David is pleading with King Saul to listen, saying that if God has turned Saul against him, they should make an offering, but if people have caused this conflict, they deserve God's judgment for forcing David away from God's land.
📚 Historical Context
This occurs when David had another opportunity to kill Saul but chose not to, instead taking Saul's spear and water jug to prove he could have harmed him. David is speaking from a distance, trying to reconcile with Saul and end the years-long pursuit. Being driven from Israel meant being cut off from proper worship of God, since the temple and sacrificial system were located there.
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